LaDell Andersen
Encyclopedia
LaDell Andersen is a former professional and collegiate basketball
coach.
, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi
Fraternity. He was an All-Skyline Conference and an honorable mention All-American basketball player in 1951. He was also invited and competed in the 1952 United States Men’s Olympic Basketball team tryouts at New York City.
Andersen was hired in 1956 as an assistant coach for legendary University of Utah
coach Jack Gardner. Andersen left the Utes in 1961 to become head coach of his alma mater.
During his tenure as the Aggies head coach, Utah State made four appearances in the NCAA Basketball Tournament including a trip to the NCAA Final 8
in 1970 losing to eventual champion UCLA. Andersen also led them to two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament
. He complied a record of 176-96 (.647) at the school from 1961-1971. Former LSU coaching great Dale Brown
served as an assistant coach during Andersen’s tenure. Andersen recommended Brown as his successor, but when USU officials rejected the idea, Brown went to Washington State
for one season as an assistant before succeeding Press Maravich
as LSU's coach.
Andersen was also the head coach of the American Basketball Association
’s Utah Stars
for two seasons (1971–72 and 1972–73). Andersen had success with the team and led them to two Western Division regular season titles but both seasons were ended by the Indiana Pacers
in the Western Division playoff finals. Andersen compiled a 115-43 (.684) regular season coaching record with the Stars. Despite his success with the Stars, Andersen resigned after his second season with the team.
He returned to Utah State University and was appointed as the school's athletic director in 1973. Andersen held the post for ten years until he was lured back into coaching again in 1983 for Brigham Young University
.
Andersen coached the Cougars for six years and compiled a 114-71 (.616) record. BYU made four post season appearances including three in the NCAA Basketball Tournament and one in the National Invitation Tournament
. He resigned as BYU head coach in 1989 and was replaced by Roger Reid
.
Andersen is still involved in basketball and is currently acting as a scout and consultant for the NBA’s Utah Jazz
organization, partly because of his connections with former Utah State player and longtime Jazz assistant Phil Johnson
.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach.
Career
Andersen attended Utah State UniversityUtah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
Fraternity. He was an All-Skyline Conference and an honorable mention All-American basketball player in 1951. He was also invited and competed in the 1952 United States Men’s Olympic Basketball team tryouts at New York City.
Andersen was hired in 1956 as an assistant coach for legendary University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
coach Jack Gardner. Andersen left the Utes in 1961 to become head coach of his alma mater.
During his tenure as the Aggies head coach, Utah State made four appearances in the NCAA Basketball Tournament including a trip to the NCAA Final 8
1970 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1970 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 7, 1970, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in College Park, Maryland...
in 1970 losing to eventual champion UCLA. Andersen also led them to two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
. He complied a record of 176-96 (.647) at the school from 1961-1971. Former LSU coaching great Dale Brown
Dale Brown (basketball)
Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...
served as an assistant coach during Andersen’s tenure. Andersen recommended Brown as his successor, but when USU officials rejected the idea, Brown went to Washington State
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
for one season as an assistant before succeeding Press Maravich
Press Maravich
Petar "Press" Maravich was an American college and professional basketball coach. He received the nickname "Press" for always having gossip-styled updates in his hometown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb. Maravich Sr...
as LSU's coach.
Andersen was also the head coach of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
’s Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
for two seasons (1971–72 and 1972–73). Andersen had success with the team and led them to two Western Division regular season titles but both seasons were ended by the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the Western Division playoff finals. Andersen compiled a 115-43 (.684) regular season coaching record with the Stars. Despite his success with the Stars, Andersen resigned after his second season with the team.
He returned to Utah State University and was appointed as the school's athletic director in 1973. Andersen held the post for ten years until he was lured back into coaching again in 1983 for Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
.
Andersen coached the Cougars for six years and compiled a 114-71 (.616) record. BYU made four post season appearances including three in the NCAA Basketball Tournament and one in the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
. He resigned as BYU head coach in 1989 and was replaced by Roger Reid
Roger Reid
Roger Reid is an American college basketball coach and the current head coach for Southern Utah University men's basketball team. He was head coach at Brigham Young University from 1989 to 1996, assistant coach for the NBA's Phoenix Suns, and played for former NBA coach Dick Motta at Weber State...
.
Andersen is still involved in basketball and is currently acting as a scout and consultant for the NBA’s Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
organization, partly because of his connections with former Utah State player and longtime Jazz assistant Phil Johnson
Phil Johnson (basketball)
Phil D. Johnson is a former College basketball player and a former basketball coach. He played college basketball at Utah State University and Weber State, and has coached collegiately at Weber State University....
.
Head coaching record
Honors
- Member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame
- Named one of the Top 100 Most Accomplished People in the State of Utah, 1888-1998.